South Africa's Kruger National Park closes to day visitors due to severe floodin

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, Jan 15 — South African authorities shut Kruger National Park to day visitors on Thursday after several rivers burst their banks due to days of heavy rains, officials said.

The closure affects all day visitors to the park, a major tourist destination in South Africa.

Flooding has caused significant damage to infrastructure within the park, including roads and bridges.

Park officials reported that the heavy rains have led to dangerous conditions, making access unsafe for visitors.

"The safety of our visitors is our top priority, and we cannot risk allowing access during such hazardous weather," a park spokesperson said.

Emergency services are on standby to assist with any incidents related to the flooding.

Kruger National Park, established in 1898, is one of Africa's largest game reserves, covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers.

It is home to diverse wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.

This closure follows similar incidents in recent years where extreme weather events have impacted park operations.

Authorities will reassess the situation daily and provide updates on when the park might reopen to visitors.